Upper Hunter Shire Council - Scone - Scone, New South Wales

MACKA M.

Scone is still dirty we where here 3 years ago and the scafolding is still up at the picture theatre half the street is blocked of for what reasen as nothing is being done it must be so hard being a business here in scone with a council as you have. We stayed at a caravan park which was very peaceful and lovely people but the township looks like a bomb it it shame on you scone council. For years you had trucks to contend with but that is no excuse now.

Mike R.

Re: Scone Council’s contempt for their ratepayers is disgusting

The secrecy that surrounds the sale of public assets without open and transparent disclosure must flag grave concerns for the ratepayers of Scone. Why was the sale of a property for nearly a million dollars not conducted in the public glare? In communications I have shared with Upper Hunter state MP Michael Johnsen via Twitter, the politician claimed that the property disposal was a “better deal for the ratepayer”. I’m very dubious about this claim. We have come to expect much higher standards of governance from our elected officials, particularly in light of the recent shenanigans with Labor “identity” Eddie Obeid and his cohort. Ratepayers must demand and receive complete transparency on any issue related to asset disposal. This in no way differs from the tendering process required for Council expenditure. There is a foul stench surrounding this whole issue and it behoves the Councillors and the buyer to expose the entire process and agree to reverse the sale if impropriety is revealed. If there is nothing to hide then why did the council evade public scrutiny with such vigour? As far as the claim the Council was “unable to consult widely with the community”, this must rank with some of the best spin of all time. Councillors can barely contain their self-promotion when boasting of even the most insignificant success. The property buyer Mr Jason Brooks should annul the sale and permit an open enquiry to clear any doubts as to what fair market value of this public asset is. Either way, the council should be sacked for a contemptible breach of public trust.

Mike Ryan
Tomago

heather H.

Michelle J.